Liquid dispensing apparatus



INVENTOR5.

2 S hets-Sheet 1 fi/G If mas fiaZ/ardifloore flaraifijferler J. B. MOORE ET AL LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Dec. .30, 1938 TOTRL GRLLON5 Jan. 5, 1943.

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xiii; lll'jll'jli '1 TOTAL cameras Jan; 5, 1943. I J. B. MOORE EI'AL 2,307,060

LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 30, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 PRICE PER GEL.

TOT" [1 Patented Jan. 5, 1943 A 2,307,060

UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE 2,307,060 manna DISPENSING ArrAaA'rUs James Ballard Moore, Chicago, and Richard R. Trexler, Evanston, Ill.

Application December 30, 1938, Serial No. 248,378 10 Claims. (01. 221-95) This invention relates to liquid dispensing epm y be use wi h he pp ratus illustrated in paratus, and more particularly to air and vapor 4- release mechanisms therefor, Fig. 6 illustrates a safety control mechanism It is an object of the invention to provide an such s ay be used to interrupt the dispen i air and vapor release mechanism particularly Operation when the p y of the e e me hadapted for use with liquid dispensing apparatus anism is exceeded, and

wherein no metering mechanism is provided, the 7 is Pflrtiel w i i g an arpumping means itself being used as a measuring rangement similar to that shown in Fig. 4, but

unit. wherein the supply reservoir of the apparatus is More specifically it is an object of the invention used as a part of the sen on eans.

to provide an air and vapor release mechanism This inventienlelates particularly t asoli e which may be applied to the dispensing lin of dispensing apparatus of the type embodied in the liquid dispensing apparatus o th mm or copending application of Richard R. Trexler', Setion side of the pumping means, rial No. 237,593, filed October 29, 1938; which has In accordance with one form of th i ti matured into Patent No. 2,239,207, and provides means is provided for applying pressure to the and liquid Vapor release mechanism P inlet or suction side of the main dispensing pump y d p for use therewith I i to be imat predetermined times d rin th di n derstood, however, that various features of the cycle hereb to provide for th release of air invention are adapted for use in other connecand liquid vapor from the dispensing line. tions, and that they may be used with various In accordance with another form of the intypes of mechanisms, including q d dispensing vention auxiliary pumping means, which may be apparatus, i the e l o air a d liquid vapor intermittently or continuously operable, is profrom the liquid be dispensedvided for withdrawing the air and liquid vapor Referrine F emmdiment the invention fro the dispensing line on the suction side of illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and first particuthe main dispensing puma larly to Fig. l, the gasoline dispensing apparatus Further and more specific objects of the inven- Shown comp! 1585 an underground tank F tion are to provide Safety control means for voir l0 adapted to form a source of gasoline or he tank is terrupting the dispensing operation in the event liquid for the apparatus T that the amount of air or vapor to be removed supplied wlth fining pipe H by means of which exceeds the capacity of the removal apparatus; the gasoline may be Introduced to the tank and and to provide means whereby the supply tank or I with an air release pipe I: exhausting to the atmosphere beneath the casing l3 of the dispensing reservoir for the apparatus may itself be used as a aratus. A pipe ll, which ma be rovided' an liquid and liquid Vapor separation unit w i h the usual foot valve (not show r i) le ds from Still other objects, advantages and features of the underground tank m f m a position adjathe invention will be apparent from the following cent the bottom thereof to a valve mechanism sp cifi when taken in connection with the i5 shown specifically in Fig. 2 and later to be deaccompanvine drawings wherein certain Preferred scribed. A pipe l6 leads from the valve l5 to the embodiments are illustrated" air and vapor release chamber [1, shown in de- In the drawings, wherein like {defence numertail in Fig. 3. A pipe l8 leads from the bottom I refer tonke Parts throughout of chamber l1 through a foot valve l9 to the in- 1 is a general assembly View Partly in let side of the main dispensing pump 20. The tion. o B liquid dispensing apparatus emmdyine outlet of the pump is connected to a pipe 2| leadthe features of the invention in accordance with 5 mg to a Sight glass 22, a flexible hose 23 and a One embodiment dispensing nozzle 24 controlled by a valve 25;

2 is detail View O the pressure Pr The dispensing pump 20 is adapted to be driven duci Valve mechanism used as a P Of the by means of an electric motor 26 through a apparatus shown inF g- 1- mechanism more particularly described in said Fig. 3 is a detail view of the air a d v p aforementioned copending application of Richlease mechani m 01 the pp ratus shown inFig. 1. ard R. Trexler. In brief this mechanism com- Fig. 4 illustrates a liquid dispensing appar t prises a differential 21 adapted to be driven from embodying a modified arrangement for releasin the electric motor by means of gearing 28. one air and liquid vapor. branch of the differential leads to gearing 2! F18. 5 is a detail view of a control valve which which is adapted to drive the main dispensing pump 20. The other branch of the differential leads to gearing which is adapted to drive an auxiliary pump 3|. This auxiliary pump is adapted to circulate the liquid or gasoline within a closed circuit consisting of a pipe 32 leading to the inlet side of the pump, an outlet pipe 33 controlled by a valve 34, and parts of .the main dispensing pipes l4 and I6, these several pipes forming aclosed circuit through which liquid is adapted to be circulated by the auxiliary pump. The control valve 34 is adapted to be operated by a pressure bellows 35 connected to a pressure line 35 leading to the outlet side of the main dispensing pump. The current to the electric motor is controlled by means of a switch 31 mechanically connected by means of linkage 38 to the pivoted book 39 forming a support for the dis-.

pensing nozzle. The main dispensing pump is arranged to drive the registering mechanism of the apparatus by means of gearing 40 and shaft 4|. The upper end of the shaft drives a volume register 42 by means oi gearing 43. The shaft is also arranged to drive a total cost register 44 by means of gearing 45 which drives through a variator or change speed gearing 45, enabling the cost oi the gasolineto be computed at diil'erent unit prices.

In the operation of the parts described, the dispensing cycle is initiated by removing the hose nozzle from its supporting hook 39 and raising or pivoting the hook upwardly after removal of the nozzle. This causes the actuation of the motor switch 31 causing the operation of the driving motor 25. At this time, and prior to the opening'of the nozzle valve 25, there is pressure in the pipe 2| this pressure having been maintained in the pipe following the previous dispensing operation, by a foot valve 41. This pressure is transmitted through pipe 35 to the pressure bellows 35, and the arrangement is such that when the bellows is under pressure control valve 34 willbe moved to open position. Accordingly gasoline may be circulated through the closed control circuit by the auxiliary pump 3|. The auxiliary pump being free to operate, the electric motor merely drives the auxiliary pump through the diiierential 21, no substantial driving force being transmitted to the main dispensing pump 20.

As the operator opens nozzle valve 25, after arranging the nozzle in' dispensing position, the pressure within pipe 2| and within the bellows 35 is released. This causes the closing of control valve 84 stopping the circulation oi liquid within the control circuit for the auxiliary pump. In-

asmuch as the auxiliary pump is now locked from operation, the driving force of the electric motor is transmitted through the differential 21 to the main dispensing pump and the dispensing of gasoline takes place.

If it is desired to dispense at partial rate of flow, the operator merely partially closes the nozzlevalve 25. This causes a partial building up of pressure within dispensing pipe 2| causing a partial opening of control valve 34, and under such conditions both the auxiliary pump 3| and the main dispensing pump 20 will be operated by the differential mechanism, but at reduced speed in proportion to the rate of flow permitted by the nozzle opening. At the end 01 the dispensing operation the operator closes nozzle valve 25. This causes a building up of pressure within pipe 2| opening control valve 34 to permit the free operation of the auxiliary pump 3!. The electric motor continues to operate the auxiliary pump, the dispensing pump 20 remaining stationary, until the hoze nozzle is restored to the support hook 33 and the current to the electric motor is cut oil.

It will be seen that the movements of the dispensing pump 20 are proportional to the volume of liquid dispensed. Accordingly the dispensing .pump may be usedto drive the total gallon register 4-2 and the cost register 44 through the change speed gearing 45, in the manner previously indicated. It will also be seen that there are times during the dispensing cycle, both before and after the actual delivery of gasoline from the dispensing nozzle, when the auxiliary bump 3| is operating while the dispensing pump remains stationary. More particularly these periods occur at the beginning of the dispensing cycle from the time the operator removes the nozzle from the support hook 39 and starts the electric motor until the nozzle is arranged in dispensing position and the control valve 25 actually opened, and at the end of the dispensing cycle. after nozzle valve 25 has beenclcsed and until the nozzle is restored to its support hook 39. These periods are utilized to effect the removal of air and liquid vapor from the dispensing line, as will now be, described.

As shown in Fig. 2, the valve device i5 which connects the pipes l4 and I6 contains a foot valve- 49 pivoted as indicated at 50, and cooperating with the valve seat 5|. The valve is freely movable upwardly at all times to allow the free flow of gasoline from the pipe H to the pipe I6. This is the direction of gasoline flow when the main dispensing pump 20 is operating and gasoline is being dispensed. The valve device is also provided with a second valve member 52 pivoted to the valve 49 as indicated at 53, and normally urged into closed position by a spring 54. When the auxiliary pump 3| is operating with the main dispensing pump 28 inoperative, or if the volume of liquid pumped by the auxiliary pump is greater than that which is being passed through the main dispensing pump, the flow of gasoline through the valve device l5 will be reversed so that flow occurs from the pipe l6 to the pipe 14. The valve 52 opens to permit such flow, but due to the spring 54 a slight pressure is maintained in the pipe l5, which pressure is utilized to eflfect the ejection of the air and gasoline vapor which may have accumulated in the release chamber I].

As shown in Fig. 3, the air and vapor release device I! comprises a main chamber 55 into which gasoline is introduced by the supply pipe l5 and removed by the outlet pipe l3. During the dispensing operation, as gasoline is passed through the chamber 55, any air and vapor contained therein will separate out and accumulate at the upper part of the chamber 55, and also in the auxiliary chamber 55 communicating with chamber 55 through a perforated baflie plate 51. The battle plate reduces turbulence within the auxiliary chamber 55. A pipe 58 provided with a restricted orifice 59 leads through, a check valve 55 to a separation or recovery chamber 6|. This latter chamber is provided with a pipe 62 leading to atmosphere and a pipe 53 leading back to the main inlet pipe l4. Float valves 54 and 55 are provided in the chambers SI and 56 as shown. In operation, during the delivery of gasoline, entrained air and the gasoline vapor will be separated from the liquid as it passes through chamber 55, as previously stated, liquid free of air and vapor being drawn from the bottom of the chamber through the pipe i8. The separated air and vapor accumulate at the upper end of the main chamber 55 and also within the auxiliary chamber 56. When suflicient air and vapor have accumulated, the float valve 65 will be lowered opening the passage to pipe 56. During dispensing, while the dispensing pump is operating, no ejection of the air and vapor through the pipe 58 takes place, the air and vapor merely being accumulated within chambers and 56. However, at the beginning and end of each dispenslng cycle, when the auxiliary pump 3| is operating with the main dispensing pump inoperative, the pressure produced within chamber 55 forces the accumulated. air and gasoline vapor through the restricted oriflce 59, past the check valve 80 and into the recovery chamber 6|. In the recovery chamber the air separates from the liquid vapor and passes out to atmosphere through the exhaust pipe 82. The recovered or condensed liquid accumulates within the recovery chamber until the float 64 is raised, whereupon the liquid returns to the suction pipe ll by means. of conduit 63. The check valve prevents any reverse passage of material through pipe 55 due to suction within the chamber 55 during dispensing operations. The float valve 54 maintains a liquid seal within the recovery chamber between pipes 62 and 63, preventing the passage or suction of air into the pipe 63.

The float valve may be eliminated, if desired. This valve merely insures that there will be no passage of material into the pipe 58 unless and until sufficient air and vapor have accumulated in the chambers 55 and 56 to lower the valve and open the passage 58. However, the restricted orifice 59 cuts down the permissible rate of flow through the passage to such an extent that even though liquid is forced through the passage, the capacity of pipe 53 will not be exceeded so that the liquid will merely continue on from pipe 58 through chamber 6| and pipe 63 back to the suction pipe ll.

In Fig. 4 an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in which the general dispensing mechanism is the same as that described, but the air and vapor is sucked from the separation devices rather than forced therefrom by pressure, and the arrangement is such that elimination may be 'eflected continuously even while gasoline is being delivered from the dispensing nozzle. In this instance the control circuit for the auxiliary pump 3| consists of an outlet pipe 10 leading through a control valve 12 and then by means of a pipe I3 to a recovery chamber H. The recovery chamber is provided with a float valve 15, an air exhaust I6 and a pipe 11 leading to the main suction pipe ll. The inlet to the auxiliary pump consists of a pipe" leading from the bottom of v the separator I1 and a pipe 19 leading from the top of the auxiliary chamber 56 of the separator through the restricted orifice 59. The pipes I8 and 19 join as indicated at 80, and then connect with the inlet side of the pump through the check valve 8|. The auxiliary pump operates in the reverse direction from that shown in Fig. l, and for this purpose the gearing 30 by which the pump is operated is transposed as indicated. The auxiliary pump SI and the main dispensing pump 25 may be'rotary gear pumps of conventional design.

'In operation, when the auxiliary pump 3| is operating, accumulated air and liquid vapor will be drawn from the upper portions-oi the separator device through ipe" and restricted drawn through the pipe 18.

orifice 58. Liquid will also be simultaneously The pipe 13 turnishes a constant source of liquid supp y and prevents any unpriming of the auxiliary pump. Also, the restricted orifice 59 prevents an unduly rapid flow of air or vapor to the auxiliary pump which might tend to unprime it. A float valve (such as valve 55 as shown in Fig. 3) would be superfluous for if there is no accumulated air or liquid vapor in the upper end of chamber 56,

liquid will merely be drawn through the pipe 19.

The mixture of liquid, vapor, and air is exhausted from the auxiliary pump through control valve 12 to the recovery chamber 14 wherein the air separates out andpasses to atmosphere through the pipe 16, and the liquid is returned through pipe 11 to the suction pipe i4, passing back to the separator device I! through pipe Hi to complete the closed circuit. The check valve 8| prevents any reverse ilow through thecircuit due to suction within the device when the main dispensing pump 20 is operating if the auxiliary pump should be stationary. The float valve 15 provides a liquid seal within the recovery chamber preventing the drawing of air from pipe 15 through the pipe 11 into the conduit.

The control valve 12 may be soconstructed as to completely stop flow within the auxiliary pum control circuit when the main dispensing pump is operating at full capacity rate, as in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, in which event there will be no air or vapor elimination during full dispensing flow, the air and vapor merely accumulating at the upper portion of chamber H as described. Alternatively the valve may be constructed so that there will be a slight flow through it even when it is turned to closed position causing the auxiliary pump 3| to be operated, at least slowly, during all the time that the electric motor 26 is operating. Such a valve is illustrated in Fig. 5. The valve comprises a casing and a rotary barrel member "having a primary bore 81 which forms a communication between pipes 10 and II when the valve is turned to open position, and a small bore 88 arranged in quadrature with respect to the primary bore and adapted to form communication at a reduced rate between pipes 10 and 13 when the valve is turned to closed position. With such an arrangement the auxiliary pump will operate to withdraw air and vapor from the separator device at all times during the dispensing cycle. However, when the control valve 12 is turned to closed position, such resistance will be applied to the auxiliary pump 3| so that the main dispensing pump 28 will be driven by the electric motor and in an arrangement such as shown in Fig. l

wherein there is no withdrawal during actual liquid dispensing, the capacity of the reservoir chamber 55 will be such as to handle the'iull accumulation of air and vapor during normal dispensing conditions. That is, the capacity of reservoir 55 will be such as to accommodate the normal entrained air and vapor in a quantity of gasoline, perhaps twenty gallons, which is the maximum that is ordinarily dispensed in one continuous operation.

However, if desired a safety device such as illustrated in Fig. 6 may be used with either form 01 the invention. As here shown thechamber 55 is provided with a float which will be lowcred when the accumulated gas and vapor reaches any predetermined amount and approaches the bottom of the chamber. The float is mounted on an arm 9| carried by a flexible diaphragm 92 arranged in the wall of the chamber 55. A switch 93 is carried by the other end of the arm. This switch controls an electric circuit 94 provided for a solenoid 95 adapted to control the valve 34 as applied to the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1. In operation when the float is lowered -by the lowering of the liquid level within chamber 55, switch 93 is closed energizing solenoid 95. The energization of the solenoid opens valve 34 causing the operation of the auxiliary pump II and the resultant stopping of the dispensing pump 20. This mechanism thus constitutes an over-control for the valve 34 causing the stopping of dispensing when the capacity of chamber 55 is exceeded. As soon as dispensing is stopped, the withdrawal of the accumulatedgas and vapor will begin. As applied to the embodiment of Fig. 4, the solenoid 95 would control the valve 12 in a manner similar to that described in reference to valve 34.

In Fig. 7 an arrangement is illustrated substantially similar to that shown in Fig. 4 except that the pipe 13, instead of leading to a separate recovery chamber, such as shown at 14 in Fig. 4, leads through the main inlet pipe I 4 into the underground tank ill. Pipe 73' is bent upwardly and terminates at a point 96 sufficiently removed from the inlet 91 to the pipe I that any air and vapor exhausted at 96 will not be drawn into the inlet. With such an arrangement the underground tank itself constitutes the recovery chamber, the air being exhausted through the pipe l2. The pipe 13 may be introduced into the underground tank by forcing it downwardly through pipe l4 until the end of the smaller pipe is bent upwardly and away from the inlet to the larger pipe, as shown. In such construction the foot valve normally provided at the bottom of the inlet pipe ll may be arranged at an upward position such as indicated at 98.

It is obvious that changes may be made in the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments illustrated and set forth, but only as indicated in the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising, a dispensing line adapted to be connected to a source of liquid supply, dispensing pumping means arranged in said line for propelling liquid therethrough, air release means arranged in the dispensing line on the inlet side of said pumping means, said air release means comprising an air separator and means for withdrawing air therefrom and ejecting it to atmosphere, and means controlled by the pressure conditions within the dispensing line for controlling said last named means.

2. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising, a dispensing line adapted to be connected to a source of liquid supply, dispensing pumping means arranged in said line for propelling liquid therethrough, air release means arranged in the dispensing line on the inlet side of said pumping means, said air release means comprising an air separator having outlets adjacent the top and bottom thereof, and auxiliary pumping means connected to both of said outlets for withdrawing air from the upper outlet and liquid from the lower outlet.

3. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing line adapted to be connected to a source of liquid supply, a dispensing pump for propelling liquid through the dispensing line, a prime mover, and air release means arranged in the dispensing linefor separating air from the liquid to be dispensed, said air release means comprising a separator chamber within which air is separated from the liquid, a fluid forcing device for removing air from the separator chamber, transmission mechanism for connecting the prime mover in driving relation with both the dispensing pump and the fluid forcing device, and means controlled by the accumulation of air within said separator chamber beyond a predetermined amount for disabling the operative functioning of the dispensing pump while causing the prime mover to operatively drive the fluid forcing device.

4. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing line adapted to be connected to a source of liquid supply, a dispensing pump arranged in said line for propelling liquid therethrough, air .release means comprising an air separator arranged in the dispensing line on the inlet side of the dispensing pump, an auxiliary pump for withdrawing separated air from the air separator, a prime mover, a differential gearing, the prime mover, dispensing pump and auxiliary pump being respectively connected to the three branches of the diflerential gearing whereby said prime mover serves to drive either the dispensing pump and the auxiliary pump or' both, and means controlled by the pressure conditions within the dispensing line for varying the relative speeds of the dispensing pump and the auxiliary pump.

5. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing line adapted to be connected to a source of liquid supply, dispensing pumping means arranged in said line for propelling liquid therethrough, air release means arranged in the dispensing line on the inlet side of said pumping means, said air release means comprising an air separator and fluid forcing means for removing air from the separator, a common prime mover for driving said pumping means and said fluid forcing means at predetermined relative speeds, and control means for varying the predetermined relative speed relation of the pumping means and the fluid forcing means.

6. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing line adapted to be connected to a source of liquid supply, dispensing pumping means arranged in said line for propelling liquid therethrough, air release means arranged in the dispensing line on the inlet side of said pumping means, said air release means comprising an air separator and fluid forcing means for removing' air from the separator, a common prime mover for driving said pumping means and said fluid forcing means at predetermined relative speeds, and means controlled by the pressure conditions within the dispensing line for varying the predetermined relative speed relation of the pumping means and the fluid forcing means.

7. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing line adapted to be connected to a source of liquid supply, dispensing pumping means arranged in said line for propelling liquid therethrough, a prime mover, air release means arranged in the dispensing line on the inlet side of said pumping means, said air release means comprising an air separator. auxiliary pumping means for removing air from the air separator, a common transmission mechanism connecting the prime mover with both the dispensing pumping means and the auxiliary pumping means for driving them in complementary relation, where by as the speed of one of the said pumping means is increased the speed of the other is'correspondingly decreased, and means for controlling the transmission mechanism to vary the driving speeds of the dispensing pumping means and auxiliary pumping means.

8. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing line adapted to be connected to a source of liquid supply, dispensing pumping means arranged in said line for propelling liquid therethrough, a prime mover, air release means arranged in the dispensing line on the inlet side of said pumping means, said air release means comprising an air separator, auxiliary-pumping means for removing air from the air separator, a common transmission mechanism connecting the prime mover with both the dispensing pumping means and the auxiliary pumping means for driving them in complementary relation, whereby as the speed of one of the said pumping means is increased the speed of the other is correspondingly decreased, and means controlled by the pressure conditions within the dispensing line for controlling the transmission mechanism to vary the driving speeds of the dispensing pumping means and auxiliary pumping means.

9. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing line adapted to be connected to a source 0! liquid supply, dispensing pumping means arranged in said line for propelling liquid therethrough. air release means arranged in the dispensing line on the inlet side of said pumping means, said air release means comprising an air separator and fluid forcing means for remov ing air from the separator, a common prime mover for driving sai'd pumping means and said fluid forcing means in predetermined operating relationship, and means controlled by the accumulation of air within the air separator beyond a predetermined amount for varying the operating relationship between the dispensing pumping means and the fluid forcing means.

I 10. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing line adapted to be connected to a source of liquid supply, dispensing pumping means arranged in said line for propelling liquid therethrough, air release means arranged in the dispensing line on the inlet side of said pumping means, said air release means comprising an air separator and fluid forcing means for removing air from the separator, driving means for driv ing said pumping means and said fluid forcing means in predetermined operating relationship, and means controlled by the accumulation of air within the air separator beyond a predetermined amount for rendering the dispensing pumping means functionally inoperative to propel liquid through the dispensing line while the fluid forcing means remains operative to remove air from the separator.

JAMES BALLARD MOORE. RICHARD n. mam. 

